SC seeks Centre’s reply to plea alleging reservation policy not being followed in NEET-PG exam

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to file its response to a plea which alleged reserved category meritorious candidates, who have qualified for general seats in the NEET-PG-22 examination, were being allotted seats under quota meant for the weaker sections.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Hima Kohli and JB Pardiwala asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, to file an affidavit about the exact procedure being followed in the examination.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner Pankaj Kumar Mandal and others, said candidates who applied in the reserved category but scored high marks making them eligible for admission in the general category, were still being allotted quota seats in violation of the apex court’s verdicts in the past.

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Responding to Bhushan’s contention, Bhati said, “We are bound by the reservation policy which has been indicated in the NEET-PG examination brochure and this policy is not for only 50 seats but it is roster wise and speciality wise. This is the law which is being followed.” Bhushan said a lot of students are affected by the policy adopted in NEET-PG-2022 examination. The counselling process, he said, was underway.

The bench then asked Bhati to file an affidavit about the procedure adopted for admission and listed the matter for further hearing on November 21.

The plea filed by Mandal and others contended it is a settled position of law that reserved category candidates who get high qualifying marks for unreserved seats should be admitted against the general and not reserved category seats.